News and Announcements Archive

Wayne Law, ABOTA to Welcome Sandra Day O'Connor for 'Options for an Independent Judiciary in Michigan'

January 21, 2010

DETROIT (Jan. 21, 2010) – Wayne State University Law School and the American Board of Trial Advocates - Michigan Chapter are pleased to announce a symposium, titled "Options for an Independent Judiciary in Michigan," on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. The invite-only event, which will feature keynote speaker Retired U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, will be held in Wayne State University's Community Arts Auditorium. More information is below.

Retired U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

This nonpartisan, invite-only symposium will explore options for election/selection that promote an independent judiciary in Michigan. It will present various potential reforms to the process of electing or selecting Michigan's justices in 2020 and beyond.

Among the other speakers are retired Colorado Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Kourlis, Seth Andersen of the American Judicature Society, James Sample of Hofstra University, Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, Jesse Rutledge of the National Center for State Courts, Dr. Daryl Yost of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center and Robert Sedler of Wayne Law.

Please contact Robin Dortenzio in the Law School Dean's Office at (313) 577-3099 or robind@wayne.edu for more information. Media inquiries should be directed to Kristin Copenhaver in the Law School at kcopenhaver@wayne.edu or (313) 577-4834.

Note for media: Video and still picture images of this event are allowed from 8 a.m. – noon and from the conclusion of the keynote address by Retired U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (which begins at 1 p.m.) until the end of the symposium. Cameras of any kind are not allowed in the Auditorium during Justice O’Connor’s address. Justice O’Connor will NOT be giving any interviews – print or broadcast.

You must contact Ms. Copenhaver and confirm your attendance to ensure a free parking spot at the Law School for this event.Wayne Law will issue event photos of Justice O'Connor at the end of the day to media representatives who RSVP to kcopenhaver@wayne.edu for the event.

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